LeBron James’ First Team USA Game Jersey Sells for $722,240 at Goldin
A photo-matched LeBron James Team USA jersey tied to the beginning of his international basketball career has sold for $722,240 at Goldin. Goldin announced the final sale price for the white No. 9 Team USA jersey after its Fall Game Used Memorabilia Auction closed November 7. The auction house identifies the jersey as the one James wore during his first-ever game representing the United States on July 29, 2004, against Puerto Rico, just months after completing his NBA Rookie of the Year season.
The jersey was Lot No. 1 in the auction, reflecting what Goldin described as the significance of the piece within James’ career. Goldin says the jersey was not limited to a single appearance. It was photo-matched to three pre-Olympic games involving James, with the auction listing identifying the Puerto Rico matchup as his Team USA debut and noting two additional games before the 2004 Olympics.
Authentication and photo-matching documentation accompanied the jersey from MeiGray, Resolution Photomatching and SIA Photo Match. Goldin specifically promoted the item as conclusively photo-matched to multiple appearances, making its documented use a central part of the lot’s appeal.
The piece represents an especially early point in James’ career. He had just finished his 2003-04 rookie season when he joined Team USA in the summer of 2004, wearing No. 9 as part of the national team. That timing separates the jersey from memorabilia connected to James’ later international accomplishments. Rather than documenting one of the championships or milestones that came later, Goldin positioned the jersey as an artifact from the beginning of his Team USA career.
The result adds another major sale to the market for photo-matched game-used LeBron James memorabilia, where collectors place particular emphasis on jerseys connected to specific games, milestones and historically significant moments.
The $722,240 jersey sale also comes during a strong year for high-end LeBron James collectibles across multiple categories. In September, a 2003-04 Topps Chrome Gold Refractor LeBron James rookie card sold for a record $1.63 million at Alt, establishing a new high for that card. Together, the two sales show continued demand for premium James material at both ends of the collecting market, from elite rookie cards to photo-matched game-used memorabilia tied to important early moments in his career.
Goldin announced the $722,240 result through its official X account.